Sports report

After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.

Tennis

Nadal dominates Federer; Serena continues roll

After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.

In the 30th meeting between the tennis greats, Nadal controlled the final from the start and won 6-1, 6-3 for his seventh Italian Open title.

“Rafa was just too good today,” Federer said.

Nadal improved to 20-10 in his career against Federer and showed once again that he will be the player to beat when the French Open starts on Sunday. It was the fifth-ranked Spaniard’s sixth title since returning earlier this year from a seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury.

“I’m playing much better than I dreamed of a few months ago,” Nadal said. “I’m doing the right things to play well.”

In the women’s final, Serena Williams won her fourth consecutive title of the year in dominating fashion, beating third-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3.

The top-ranked American will enter the French Open on a career-best 24-match winning streak. She didn’t drop a set while winning in Rome.

Golf

McDowell rallies to win World Match Play

Graeme McDowell made amends for last year’s defeat by winning the World Match Play Championship, defeating Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee

2 and 1 in the final in Kavarna, Bulgaria.

The former U.S. Open champion rallied from being two down after four holes and did not take the lead until the 14th hole before securing victory at the 17th.

Jaidee’s effort should see him move into the top 50 in the rankings, high enough for a place in next month’s U.S. Open.

• Sang-Moon Bae won the Bryon Nelson Championship for his first PGA Tour title, beating Keegan Bradley by two shots after blowing a four-stroke lead in Irving, Texas.

The 26-year-old South Korean closed with a 1-under-par 69 to finish at 13-under 267.

• Jennifer Johnson won the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic for her first tour title, birdieing four of the final six holes for a one-shot victory over Jessica Korda and Pornagong Phatlum in Mobile, Ala.

The 21-year-old American closed with her second straight 7-under 65 for a tournament-record 21-under 267.

• American Peter Uihlein won the Madeira Islands Open in Portugal by two strokes after shooting a 4-under 68 in the final round for his first career title in his 16th PGA European Tour event.

Hockey

Sweden tops Switzerland in world championships final

Sweden became the first home team to win the world championships in 27 years, beating Switzerland 5-1 in Stockholm.

Vancouver Canucks star Henrik Sedin had two goals and an assist and Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth made 26 saves to help Sweden become the first team to win the title on home ice since the Soviet Union in 1986. Switzerland earned its first medal in 60 years.

The United States won its first medal at the world championships in nine years, taking the bronze by beating Finland 3-2 in a shootout.

Alex Galchenyuk scored back-to-back goals in the shootout for the Americans. Teammates Craig Smith and Paul Stastny scored in the first period. Finland tied the score with two goals in the third.

Horse racing

Orb, Oxbow expected to run in Belmont Stakes

After Oxbow upset Kentucky Derby winner Orb in Saturday’s Preakness to extend the Triple Crown drought to 36 years, the next-best alternative for the Belmont Stakes is a rematch.

And it appears one is in the making. Both trainers gave every indication that their colts will run in the Belmont on June?8.

“You know me,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said after Oxbow’s 13/4-length victory over Itsmyluckyday, with 3-5 favorite Orb finishing fourth. “I like to rack them up in the big events. So I’ll probably go.”

Trainer Shug McGaughey said he would like to run Orb in the Belmont as long as the colt is doing well.

Elsewhere

Ohio State women’s rowing team wins Big Ten title

The Ohio State women’s rowing team won the Big Ten title at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis.

In a tightly contested championship, Ohio State’s first varsity eight clinched the team title after placing first in the final race to earn 63 points and give the Buckeyes a record 160 points.

Ohio State had 97 points for a slim lead over Wisconsin (90) and Michigan (82) heading into the final race.